Merida is filled withCatholic churches. The biggest and oldest is the Catedral de San Ildefonso begun in 1561 and finished in 1598. It is the oldest cathedral in North America. A very impressive building that was constructed on the same spot where we're sure an equally impressive Mayan pyramid once stood.
Just one block down the street is the Church of Jesus built in the late 1600's. We had dinner one night on our own personal balcony overlooking this charming church. As we settled in to yet one more wonderful Yucatecan delight of a dinner, we watched as a beautifully dressed young woman together with her family and friends emerge from a church service obviously dedicated to her 15th birthday or her quinceanera. On subsequent trips past this church, we saw several bridal parties there as well.
The Church of San Juan de Dios was actually completed before the cathedral. This chapel was part of a hospital that has been demolished. It's now the city museum.
We could spent our entire time in Merida doing a church tour. Below is one of the many outstanding features we saw, a delicately painted dome.
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